http://www.notquitecenter.com Right in Massachusetts, Left in Utah Fri, 08 Aug 2008 21:02:54 +0000 http://backend.userland.com/rss092 en I recently read the essay "Notes On Nationalism" by George Orwell. Below are some of the more relevant passages, illuminating because of their applicability 60+ years later. Orwell gives the name "nationalism" to an attitude or approach that he describes. It is beyond pride in one's country or ... http://www.notquitecenter.com/2008/08/08/george-orwells-notes-on-nationalism/ Ninth grade is not the easiest time in the average boy’s life. I say this just in case there is any above-average boy out there for whom ninth grade was spectacular. Suddenly, everything goes on your permanent record and your transcript, your voice is cracking, your skin is ... http://www.notquitecenter.com/2008/08/05/great-balls-of-fire/ In his book The True Believer: Thoughts on the Nature of Mass Movements, Eric Hoffer gives various reasons why people join mass movements. Most have to do with the believer’s desire that the movement absorb and absolve his unworthiness into a higher cause. As James said, “he which ... http://www.notquitecenter.com/2008/07/22/american-messianism/ In the book of Mosiah in the Book of Mormon, a man named Zeniff wanted to reclaim the “land of [his people’s] fathers’ first inheritance,” at his time occupied by an enemy people. Looking back on his decision years later after he had led his people into a trap ... http://www.notquitecenter.com/2008/07/18/over-zealous-to-inherit/ A while back a man was sent on a mission to Iraq. After some maritime delays, he arrived and accomplished his mission, to his own consternation. See, he didn't want to see his mission accomplished---he wanted to happen what had been guaranteed to happen if he failed. ... http://www.notquitecenter.com/2008/06/16/mission-accomplished-%e2%80%93-to-bush%e2%80%99s-chagrin/ On March 5, 1770 a British sentry guarding the Customs House in Boston was being harassed by a group of boys and men. The taunting group quickly grew more numerous and more aggressive. The guard was reinforced by eight more soldiers and their captain. The Bostonians began ... http://www.notquitecenter.com/2008/06/14/building-an-empire/ The Bush Administration is touting the success in Iraq of the Sunni Awakening, a program through which the local Sunnis are being encouraged to abandon support of al-Qaeda in favor of money and arms from the U.S. These groups are outside the purview of the Iraqi Army or Police ... http://www.notquitecenter.com/2008/06/11/the-sunni-awakening-in-iraq/ A co-worker pointed out to me the following quote from Joe Klein of TIME magazine: “. . . [the Democratic Party has] a problem that has hurt [it] since the Vietnam era, a fixation on the (often spectacular) deficiencies of superpower governance while slighting this nation's incredible strengths.” ... http://www.notquitecenter.com/2008/05/27/deficiencies-and-slights/ On Monday, Secretary of State Condoleeza Rice criticized Muqtada al-Sadr, leader of Iraq’s largest Shi’ite militia, the Mahdi Army. Sadr had threatened to declare war unless U.S. and Iraqi forces end a military crackdown on his followers. Rice commented, “I know he's sitting in Iran. I guess ... http://www.notquitecenter.com/2008/04/22/more-hypocrisy-in-the-house-of-bush/ Seeing my interest in Team of Rivals about the Lincoln presidency, Heather bought me Grant and Sherman: The Friendship that Won the Civil War. This was a very interesting book about two men and the war that brought them together. Grant was essentially a failure early on. ... http://www.notquitecenter.com/2008/04/22/book-review-%e2%80%93-grant-and-sherman-the-friendship-that-won-the-civil-war/